What does Malassezia folliculitis look like?

Malassezia folliculitis presents as small, uniform, itchy papules and pustules particularly on the upper back and chest. Other sites involved can include the forehead/hair line, chin, neck, and extensor aspect of the upper limbs.

How do you know if you have Malassezia folliculitis?

Diagnosing Malassezia Folliculitis

MF is often reported on the shoulders and upper torso. It can occur anywhere follicles are present, so essentially anywhere besides the soles of the feet and palms. Spots look like acne, but are usually itchy, which is often not a symptom of acne.

What does Malassezia look like?

Microscopy of malassezia, using potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations, shows clusters of yeast cells and long hyphae. The appearance is said to be like 'spaghetti and meatballs'.

What triggers Malassezia folliculitis?

Malassezia folliculitis results from overgrowth of yeast present in the normal cutaneous flora. Eruptions may be associated with conditions altering this flora, such as immunosuppression and antibiotic use.

How do you know if you have fungal folliculitis?

The best approach for diagnosis is to seek the care of a dermatologist. A dermatologist will get a skin sample by gently scraping your skin and then examine the sample with a microscope to determine if there is yeast present.

What kills Malassezia?

Pyrithione zinc kills Malassezia and all other fungi, and is highly effective against the Malassezia species actually found on scalp. Reduction in fungi reduces free fatty acids, thereby reducing scalp flaking and itch.

How can you tell if folliculitis is bacterial or fungal?

They may take a swab of the infected skin to test for which bacteria or fungus is the cause of the folliculitis. In rare cases, a doctor may order a skin biopsy to exclude the possibility of other causes.

What kills Malassezia folliculitis?

Dr. Kim also recommends OTC topical anti-fungal cream, like miconazole or clotrimazole, once or twice daily, but don't expect overnight results. Malassezia folliculitis can take several weeks to months to improve, so be patient.

What does Malassezia feed on?

What, you may be wondering, do we feed these fungi? Skin oils. With only one exception, Malassezia species require a source of lipids, such as the oil you produce in your skin's sebaceous glands, to grow. When we want it to survive on a petri dish in a laboratory, we need to add olive oil to our media.

Can Malassezia go away on its own?

Officially known as pityrosporum folliculitis, fungal acne develops when there is an overgrowth of the fungi Malassezia furfur in the hair follicles. It can sometimes persist due to misdiagnosis, as it is often mistaken for acne vulgaris. The AAD explains that fungal acne will usually clear up without treatment.

What triggers Malassezia yeast?

The Malassezia (antigen) proteins are found in sweat and the disease is therefore triggered by sweating (sometimes referred to as sweat allergy) (Hiragun et al., 2013; Maarouf et al., 2018).

What happens if Malassezia is left untreated?

[10] If the disease is left untreated, it may cause complications like disfigurement of neck, face, trunk, etc., and may result in invasive infections. Recurrence rate of Malassezia in spite of treatment is about 60% in the first year and 80% in the second year.

How long does it take to cure Malassezia folliculitis?

Since topical antifungals and washes do not penetrate well into the hair follicle, first-line treatment is generally with oral antifungals. Improvement is expected within 1–2 months.

What does fungal acne look like?

In fungal acne, the spots are red bumps (papules) or pustules (white heads) of a similar size, usually between 1 to 2 mm. They occur in waves and they can be pretty itchy – much more itchy that usual acne spots. Fungal acne can occur anywhere on the body but common locations are: Forehead, temples and frontal hair line.

How do you treat Malassezia folliculitis naturally?

How do you get rid of fungal folliculitis?

As noted above, antifungal agents are the best way to treat and get rid of pityrosporum folliculitis. But if your body can't handle the intensity of an oral antifungal medication, there are always topical antifungal treatments to choose from. These most often come in the form of gels, ointments, or creams.

How do you know if I have Malassezia?

Malassezia folliculitis presents as small, uniform, itchy papules and pustules particularly on the upper back and chest. Other sites involved can include the forehead/hair line, chin, neck, and extensor aspect of the upper limbs.

Does Malassezia smell?

Cultures of Malassezia produce a characteristic “fruity” smell, first described by Van Abbe (445).

Can Malassezia spread?

Malassezia infection can also spread systemically, causing peritonitis and catheter-related fungemia.

Can Malassezia cause hair loss?

Malassezia is a type of naturally-occurring yeast that can cause inflammation and further damage to hair follicles if produced in excess and left untreated. Just like increased sebum production, increased Malassezia production can cause hair loss.

How do I get rid of Malassezia scalp yeast?

Most scalp yeast infections can be treated with topical over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. These come in the form of ointments, shampoos, or foams. Research shows that antifungal drugs known as azoles, such as fluconazole (Diflucan), are very successful, as well as allylamines.

What foods to avoid if you have folliculitis?

Brooks also advises avoiding diets high in carbs and sugars or with a high glycemic index, which can cause fluctuations in your glucose levels. “Rising glucose levels increase hormones in your skin, leading to oil production, which can cause folliculitis [inflammation of hair follicles],” he says.

What happens if folliculitis goes untreated?

Boils and carbuncles

If folliculitis is left untreated, boils (or skin abscesses) can develop. As the hair follicle becomes deeply infected, the boil will come to a head and may drain. The boil may be painful and red. A large cluster of boils may also appear as many follicles become infected.

What contact kills Malassezia?

Pyrithione zinc kills Malassezia and all other fungi, and is highly effective against the Malassezia species actually found on scalp.